Page 137 of A Scandal for the Beastly Earl

"That's not your concern."

"Everything about you concerns me now," Julian said pleasantly. "You're quite the mystery, Mr. Harrington."

"I'm Matilda's cousin. That's all."

"Is it? Because I've been doing some investigating."

"When?" Lucien asked.

"I had time to do it."

"What did you find?" Lucien asked.

"Our Mr. Harrington has quite the reputation. Gambling debts across three countries."

"That's not..."

"All mysteriously paid after Matilda's death."

The room went silent.

"Her inheritance," Arabella breathed. "You inherited from her."

"She was my cousin. It's perfectly legal."

"But suspicious. She dies right before leaving the country, and you get everything?"

"Are you suggesting I killed her?"

"I'm suggesting you benefited from her death."

"The fire was an accident! You heard Lady Velott."

"I heard Lady Velott confess to knocking over a candle. But fires can be helped along."

"This is ridiculous!"

"Is it? You were helping her leave. You knew the house. You could have ensured the fire spread."

"I was at an inn!"

"Were you? Can you prove it?"

Harrington's face went red. "I don't have to prove anything to you."

"No," Julian agreed. "But you might have to prove it to the authorities."

"You can't..."

"I can. I will. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you leave. Now. Today. And never contact any of us again."

"That's blackmail!"

"That's negotiation. Take it or leave it."